What is a plantar fibroma?
A plantar fibroma is a noncancerous growth, or nodule, located in the arch of your foot. It develops in your plantar fascia, the band of tissue that connects your heel to your toes.
You may have a plantar fibroma in one or both feet. The nodules grow slowly and are usually no larger than an inch. Plantar fibroma sometimes forms in clusters, as part of a rare disease called plantar fibromatosis or Ledderhose disease.
It’s not entirely clear what causes plantar fibroma, so there aren’t any specific steps to prevent them. It’s possible there’s a genetic component, and they may develop in response to trauma on the bottom of the foot. Though anyone can develop them, they most often affect men during middle age.
What are the signs and symptoms of a plantar fibroma?
The telltale sign of a plantar fibroma is a firm lump in an arch of your foot. You may or may not experience pain. In its early stages, while a plantar fibroma is relatively small, it may not cause any discomfort, and you may not even notice it.
A plantar fibroma may begin to cause discomfort as it gets larger. This discomfort usually gets worse when you apply pressure to the lump, including by:
- Standing for a long time
- Walking barefoot
- Wearing tight shoes
Applying pressure to the fibroma won’t make the growth itself worse, and the nodules do eventually stop growing, usually when they’re about an inch in size. However, if you’re experiencing discomfort from your plantar fibroma, treatment is necessary to ease the symptoms — they rarely go away on their own.
How is a plantar fibroma treated?
In many cases, a conservative, nonsurgical approach can relieve the discomfort that accompanies a plantar fibroma. These approaches may not cause the mass to disappear, but you may still find them sufficient. Options include:
- Nd: YAG Laser Treatment
- Steroid injections, which can shrink the mass, though the shrinkage may only be temporary
- Topical medication, which can relieve the pain, stop the growth of the fibroma, and potentially cause it to shrink
- Orthotics, or custom shoe inserts, which help you to put less weight on the fibroma when you stand and walk
- Physical therapy, which can reduce pain and inflammation and improve circulation in the affected foot
In rare cases, if conservative treatment doesn’t provide relief, Dr. Bocian may recommend surgery to remove the fibroma.
To schedule an appointment at the practice of Darin A. Bocian, DPM, call or use the online booking tool today.
